Alex spun in place.
No twisted trees. No ancient bark. No canopy above.
He was now standing in a vast open land, the horizon stretching wide in every direction. A soft wind stirred the golden grass around him. Wildflowers peeked through. It was beautiful. Peaceful.
And in the distance, rising like a forgotten dream, stood a village—no, a small city. Delicate, natural architecture woven into trees and hills, as if nature itself had designed it.
He turned sharply back toward the elf man.
Only now did he notice the silver hair, the pointed ears, and the subtle glow that outlined his body like faint moonlight.
"Who are you?" Alex asked. "And where are we?"
The man's face relaxed, though his posture remained firm.
"Do not be afraid. Welcome to our village," he said, raising a fist to his chest, palm downward, and tapping once—a salute of some kind.
"You may enter."
Alex stared at him for a long moment.
"Right. Sure. Just one thing… next time, could we not go with the disappearing tree and smoke show entrance?"
The elf allowed a ghost of a smile to flicker at the corner of his lips. "It was necessary. We do not trust easily."
"Well," Alex said, adjusting his sling bag, "you could've just asked for my ID."
Alex stepped onto a path that wasn't there a moment ago.
It wove like a silver thread through the grass, bending slightly with each footfall, almost as if the land itself adjusted to accommodate him. The elf—who still hadn't introduced himself, by the way—walked a few paces ahead, silent and regal like a fantasy novel cover model who didn't believe in small talk.
As they approached the village, Alex's eyes widened.
This place…
It was nothing like the human cities he knew. No concrete, no metal. Everything here was alive. The homes were grown—yes, grown—from massive, ancient trees, shaped and curved with breathtaking artistry. Vine bridges spanned across treetop walkways. Glowing blue flowers lit the paths instead of lamps, pulsing faintly like fireflies. And music… soft, melancholic music… drifted through the air like mist.
Elves walked gracefully between the trees, their movements fluid and precise. Many paused to look at him—some curious, some wary, a few downright hostile.
Alex tried not to stare too hard at anyone, which was difficult considering they all looked like they had walked out of an art exhibit. Tall, elegant, impossibly symmetrical. Even their toddlers probably looked better than most people's wedding photos.
"This place is unreal," Alex whispered to himself.
The elf finally glanced back. "It is very real. You simply weren't meant to see it."
"Yet here I am," Alex muttered.
They passed a large courtyard where younger elves were training—bows, staves, and curved blades moved with supernatural precision. A few stopped to stare at him, weapons still raised.
"Friendly place," Alex said.
"We are not used to humans," the elf replied. "Especially not ones who shapeshift into birds and talk to trees."
"Yeah, I get that a lot."
They stopped in front of a massive tree whose trunk was wider than a city building. A staircase of roots spiraled up along its side. Without a word, the elf led him upward. At the top was a flat platform shaped like a lotus, with carved benches, flowering vines, and a panoramic view of the village below.
"I am Malik," the elf finally said. "Elder of this sanctuary."
"Alex," he replied, extending a hand.
Malik just stared at it like it was something dangerous. Alex awkwardly dropped it.
"Right. No handshakes. Got it."
"You are a Druid," Malik said, not as a question.
"Yes," Alex answered. "How do you know?"
"Because the trees whispered your arrival hours ago, and because no human has stood in this place since before the Dome."
Alex blinked. "You've been here that long?"
Malik nodded slowly. "We do not age as humans do, nor do we forget."
"And yet you stayed hidden?"
"For good reason."
Alex sighed. "I know. Humans ruin everything."
Malik's eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't disagree?"
"I've met enough of them to understand," Alex said. "But not all of us are trying to burn down the world. Some of us are trying to fix it."
The elder studied him. "That remains to be seen."
Before Alex could respond, a feminine voice rang out from below.
"He's here?"
A blur of silver hair and green cloak bounded up the root stairs with unnatural speed. Layla, glowing with excitement and more than a hint of defiance, appeared on the platform.
"I knew it!" she exclaimed, beaming at Malik. "You brought him!"
Alex took a cautious step back. "I feel like I'm about to be part of an ambush or a tea party, and I honestly don't know which one is scarier."
Layla grinned at him. "I've heard about you. The shapeshifter. The Druid who can command fire and air. You saved children from a burning hospital, right?"
Alex squinted. "I thought no one saw that."
"We have eyes beyond your kind," she said cryptically, then added, "Also, someone posted about it on social media, but the footage was blurry."
"Of course. You have internet."
Malik sighed heavily. "Layla, this is not a game."
"It's not," she replied, now fully facing Alex. "It's hope."
Alex stared at her. "You're… an Awakened?"
She nodded. "Yes, I also got hit by the light, but I carry the blood of the Ancient Forest. I was trained even before the awakening."
Malik gave her a sharp look. "We agreed—"
"We agreed to observe him, and I have." She looked back at Alex, her voice firm. "You're not like the others. You hear the forest. You fight the real monsters. And you don't seek glory for it."
Alex blinked. "Is this your way of asking me to dinner?"
Malik stood suddenly. "Enough. If we're to trust him, he must prove it."
"Prove it how?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow. "I already got the T-shirt and the elemental skillset."
Malik gestured toward the forest beyond the village.
"There is a beast—once a protector, now corrupted by years of isolation. It turned wild. Dangerous. We've kept it trapped beyond the outer glade. No elf dares face it anymore."
"And you want me to…?"
"Subdue it, or kill it, if necessary. Then we will talk about trust."
Alex turned to Layla. "Your people have an interesting definition of hospitality."
She shrugged. "Why? Are you scared?"
Malik's sharp green eyes bore into Alex with the intensity of a hawk studying prey. The towering elf stood with his arms crossed, silver hair catching the faint shimmer of the sun that filtered through the great wooden arches of the elven hall. Alex, however, remained perfectly still, hands loosely in his pockets, wearing the kind of faint smirk that usually preceded trouble—or brilliance.
"What do I get," Alex said slowly, "if I do what you want? I mean, with that beast you mentioned?"
The question hung in the air like a thrown dagger.
Malik's lips curled into a smile—the kind of smile people gave right before saying something mildly threatening.
"You get to leave this village alive," Malik said smoothly. "And with all your body parts intact."
Alex blinked, then raised both eyebrows in mock surprise. "Wow," he said, nodding thoughtfully. "That is so generous. I hadn't even thought of that, actually."
But before Malik could fire back with another jab, a softer voice cut through the tension like a songbird in a thunderstorm.
"Father," said Leyla, stepping forward, her face calm but stern. "Let's not provoke him. We don't need him as an enemy."
There was a quiet firmness in her voice that momentarily overrode the room's rising tension.
Malik exhaled, still glaring at Alex, but his shoulders eased. "Fine," he said. "Then let's ask plainly. What do you want in return?"
Alex drew in a long, theatrical breath and looked up toward the intricately carved wooden ceiling, as though consulting some invisible advisor.
"Okay, just so we're all clear," he began, voice casual but sharp, "I didn't ask to be here. You're the ones who dragged me out of the forest and tossed me into a fog dreamland, remember? I didn't knock on your secret treehouse door asking for a job."
Leyla looked sheepish. Malik did not.
"And while we're clarifying things," Alex continued, "I'm already knee-deep in monster-hunting. You people aren't exactly special in that regard. So if you want my help, don't treat me like some mercenary you can boss around with threats. And I don't take well to being manhandled by fog and vines."
Malik tilted his head. "You're saying you'll help… for what price?"
Alex smiled. "Now we're speaking my language."
Leyla stepped in before things could escalate again. "Let's settle this properly," she said. "If you agree to investigate the beast in the southern valley, we'll grant you access to our archives."
Alex blinked. "Archives?"
"Our written records, passed down since before the dome," she said. "Maps, relic locations, spells… even knowledge about the first sentients."
That made him pause.
The sentient inside Alex stirred, as if something had registered.
"That," Alex said slowly, "is an actual reward."
Malik's eyes narrowed. "You expect us to give away sacred knowledge in exchange for hunting one beast?"
Alex shrugged. "You expect me to risk my life for free. I think we're both asking for a lot."
"I trust him," Leyla murmured.
"I don't," Malik muttered.
Alex grinned. "Well, the feeling is mutual."
A long silence followed. Finally, Malik turned, walking toward the large circular table at the center of the room. He placed his palm on its surface, activating glowing elven runes that spiraled into the center.
"This map shows the valley," he said. "Our scouts won't go near it. The ancient beast… made its home there recently. It did not attack our village but it has already killed two patrols and frightened off the entire hunting party."
Alex stepped forward and studied the projection. It was a deep gorge, hidden beneath a thick canopy of trees, laced with glowing mushrooms and waterfalls. Definitely his kind of place.
"We're in agreement, then?" Malik asked, though his tone suggested he wasn't thrilled about it.
"Yes," Alex said. "But I'm bringing my team."
"Of course," Leyla nodded. "The two humans who travel with you. The Ranger and the… melodramatic Assassin."
"You've met Trisha?" Alex asked.
"She threw a tantrum at one of our trees once. We noticed."
Alex chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds like her."
Alex turned to leave but paused at the doorway. "Oh, and one more thing," he added, glancing back. "Try not to summon me with fog and illusions next time. Just send a memo or something."
"Druid," Malik muttered under his breath. "Don't tempt me."
As Alex disappeared into the bright archway leading outside, Leyla allowed herself a small smile.
"He'll help," she said quietly.
"Yes," Malik replied. "But he's dangerous. Keep your eyes on him."
"I always do," she answered, already walking after him.